DE69323278T2 - Management system for delivery service - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a delivery service management system for integrally managing all delivery services from trading of raw materials to selling of goods, and more particularly to a delivery service management system that can attach high-capacity information holding media such as two-dimensional bar codes (or two-dimensional data codes) to goods, acquire information from such a medium in each delivery service, and feed back delivery service data to related business colleagues.

A one-dimensional bar code (a code consisting of a large number of aligned bars having different widths, e.g., a code disclosed in Jpn. UM Applin. KOKAI Publication No. 54-87751) has been popular as a means of quickly and easily entering all commodity data into an information processing system. A volume of information in a limited area is not so large because the one-dimensional bar code can represent information only in one direction to align the plurality of bars.

A two-dimensional bar code (a code having a two-dimensional code pattern corresponding to storage information in a predetermined surface, e.g., a code disclosed in Jpn. UM Applin. KOKAI Publication No. 2-268383) has been proposed as a means of greatly increasing the information volume of the one-dimensional bar code. However, a way of satisfactorily utilizing the large information volume of the two-dimensional bar code depends on future development.

In a conventional point of sale system (POS system), the one-dimensional line codes, only delivery service information representing the quantity of specific goods sold is acquired because the information volume of the one-dimensional bar code is small. For example, a supermarket mainly involved in retail operations can obtain enough useful data through the conventional POS system using one-dimensional bar codes. However, it is difficult to cope with the information acquisition of all the delivery services including the trading of the raw materials for the goods in a conventional POS system. In particular, a delivery service management system capable of returning desired delivery service data to individual related business colleagues from a group of pieces of information associated with delivery services of various kinds of goods in large quantities by a large number of business colleagues cannot be anticipated from an extension of the conventional POS systems.

For example, assume the following simple conditions for delivery services in the clothing business world. Three thread manufacturers (material system) (i), (11), and (iii) individually manufacture and sell three different threads A, B, and C, respectively. A fabric company (material system) (iv) manufactures and sells fabric D using threads A and B. A fabric company (material system) (v) manufactures and sells fabric E using threads B and C. A fabric company (material system) (vi) manufactures and sells fabric F using threads A and C. A clothing manufacturer (processing system) (vii) sews and sells a garment G using fabrics E and F. A clothing manufacturer (processing system) (viii) sews and sells a garment H using fabrics D and F. A clothing manufacturer (processing system) (ix) sews and sells a garment I using fabrics D and E. A retail store (sales system) (x) sells the clothes garments G and H, and a retail store (sales system) (xi) sells garments H and I.

Under the above conditions, if the retail stores (x) and (xi) conduct sales and management using a conventional POS system, they can know the sales quantities of the specific clothes produced by the specific clothes manufacturers in accordance with the POS data read from bar codes of the goods (clothes G, H and I). However, these POS data (i.e., the sales data of a given piece of clothing as a finished product) cannot represent the sales quantities of threads of a specific thread manufacturer or the sales quantities of specific fabrics of specific fabric companies due to the lack of information.

US-A-5 038 283, which corresponds to FR-A-2 645 992, discloses a multi-stage distribution network for the distribution of goods, wherein bar code labels are used to identify the various items and containers used in this delivery system, according to the preambles of claims 1 and 8 respectively.

In COMPUTERS, Vol. 25, No. 6, June 1992, pages 18-28, PAVLIDIS T. et al. "Information Encoding with Two-Dimensional Bar Codes", two-dimensional bar codes are disclosed which have the capacity to be "portable files" for storing much more information than the sole identification information of goods, i.e. for storing all relevant information such as price, product name, manufacturer, weight, inventory data and expiration date.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a delivery service management system capable of providing desired delivery service data to each related hung business colleagues from a set of information pieces related to delivery services of different types of goods in bulk between different types of business colleagues.

This object of the present invention is achieved by a multi-stage delivery service management system according to claim 1 and a method for managing a multi-stage delivery service according to claim 8.

A delivery service management system according to the present invention uses, for each delivery service data acquisition, at least a first information holding medium containing key information for specifying a source of a material and content information describing the contents of the material as needed, the first information holding medium being attached to the material in a delivery service from a material system to a processing or sales system; a second information holding medium containing key information for specifying a source of a piece obtained by processing the material and content information describing the contents of the piece as needed, the second information holding medium being attached to the piece in a delivery service from the processing system to the sales system; or a third information holding medium containing key information for specifying a sales location of the item and composition information describing a sales condition of the item as needed, the third information holding medium being attached to the item in a delivery service in the sales system.

In the delivery services between the material, processing and sales systems, key information and composition information held by the first, second or third information holding medium is received. When a database is created from a group of pieces of information received from each information holding medium in each delivery service, the delivery service information associated with each source of a desired piece can be fed back to that source using the key information.

Furthermore, a two-dimensional data code (or two-dimensional bar code) containing key information indicating the source of goods (e.g., thread A) and, as occasion requires, composition information describing the composition of the goods is attached to each good during delivery service between different business counterparts (e.g., from thread manufacturers to retail stores).

In the system of the present invention, every time the delivery service of the goods takes place between these business colleagues, the information (key information and content information) held by the two-dimensional data code (or the two-dimensional bar code) is collected. A group of the collected information is arranged and divided into pieces of information (including, for example, fabric/clothing information using thread A), each containing a common element (thread A commonly used for various clothes/clothing). Then, a specific piece (for example, information about a specific fabric using thread A) of the divided information can be on pieces are traced back or reported back to the source (manufacturer of thread A) of the common element.

This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the delivery services when a delivery service management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a clothing business world;

Fig. 2 is a view of the format of a two-dimensional bar code attached to a delivery service item in the delivery services in Fig. 1;

3A and 3B are views illustrating changes (accumulation changes in the information in accordance with the delivery services) in the composition of the two-dimensional bar code attached to the piece in accordance with the delivery services in the clothing business world in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service management system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining information processing performed by a delivery service management system applied to the clothing business world;

Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the arrangement of a substance (upstream goods) from the activation of the sales of well-selling goods (downstream goods) in an information process used by a delivery service manager system of the present invention applied to the clothing business world;

Fig. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to an electronic parts business world;

Fig. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a camera business world;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to an electric consumer goods business world;

Fig. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a food processing business world;

Fig. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a chemical products business world;

Fig. 12 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a drug business world;

Fig. 13 is a view for explaining the changes in the composition or contents of a two-dimensional bar code applied to a part (or its packaging). consolidated and used in the electronic parts business world in Fig. 7 through the delivery services;

Fig. 14 is a view for explaining the changes in the composition or contents of a two-dimensional bar code attached to a part (or its packaging) and used in the camera business in Fig. 8 (or the electric consumer goods business in Fig. 9) through the delivery services;

Fig. 15 is a view showing another format of the two-dimensional bar code used in the delivery services shown in Figs. 1 and 7 to 12;

Fig. 16 is a flow chart for explaining a process of protecting information read from the two-dimensional bar code having the format of Fig. 15, the flow chart being a part of an information process executed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a view illustrating changes in the two-dimensional bar code through delivery services from the production of a plurality of threads (raw material; upstream goods) to the production of a plurality of fabrics (processed goods; downstream goods);

Fig. 18 is a graph showing changes in the production amount of the raw material (thread) per week and delivery service targets/amounts, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 19 is a view corresponding to the data of the graph in Fig. 18, showing changes in the consumption of the raw material (thread) at specific locations and at specific times;

Fig. 20 is a graph showing changes in the production amount of the raw material (thread) per week and delivery service targets/amounts, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 21 is a view corresponding to the data of the graph in Fig. 20, showing changes in the consumption of the raw material (thread) at specific locations and at specific times;

Fig. 22 is a graph showing the sales amount of goods (clothes) of a specific clothing manufacturer, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 23 is a graph showing the sales amount of goods (clothes) in the clothing business world consisting of a plurality of clothing manufacturers, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 24 is a graph showing real-time load conditions of a plurality of sewers having business transactions with a specific clothing manufacturer, the graph representing an information service provided by the supplier. service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 25 is a graph showing the sales quantities of clothing items in the clothing business world consisting of a plurality of clothing manufacturers, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 26 is a graph showing the sales quantities of clothing (downstream goods) in the clothing business world in terms of the sales quantities of specific fabrics (downstream goods) used in these clothing, this graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 27 is a graph showing real-time load conditions of a plurality of thread manufacturers/weavers having business transactions with a specific fabric business company, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 28 is a graph showing the sales quantities of goods (fabrics) of a specific fabric business company, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 29 is a graph showing the sales volumes of goods (materials) in the business world, which consists of a plurality of fabric business companies, the graphical representation representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 30 is a graph showing the temporal changes in the sales quantity of the clothing 1* in Fig. 26 in the clothing store world, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 31 is a graph showing the temporal changes in the sales quantity of the clothing 2* in Fig. 26 in the clothing store world, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention;

Fig. 32 is a graph showing the temporal changes in the sales quantity of the clothing 3* in Fig. 26 in the clothing store world, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention; and

Fig. 33 is a graph showing the temporal changes in the sales quantities of the clothes 4* and 5* in Fig. 26 in the clothing store world, the graph representing an information service that can be performed by the delivery service management system of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Let us assume a delivery service management system for a clothing business. This system is managed by a central computer which has a delivery service management database. This database and the central computer are operated by, for example, a universal value-added system company (hereinafter referred to as UVAS). Various kinds of business colleagues dealing with the clothing business world are members of this UVAS. These business colleagues use their own terminals to access the UVAS through a high-speed digital line.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the delivery services in the clothing business world. A thread manufacturer 200, weaver/dyer 300, a fabric business company (or fabric/clothing company) 400, a seamstress 500, clothing manufacturer 600, salesperson (retail store) 700, all of whom are members of the UVAS, appropriately access the UVAS 100 with the database 1001 through a high speed digital communication line 40.

The thread manufacturer 200 attaches its own two-dimensional bar code to its goods (threads) and ships the goods. The delivery service data C1 in this shipment is temporarily stored in its own memory (i.e., a local database using a hard disk or the like), sent to the UVAS 100 through the line 40, and registered in the database 1001. The delivery service data C1 representing the raw material (not shown) of the thread is also temporarily stored in its own memory, sent to the UVAS 100 through the line 40, and registered in the database 1001.

An example of the two-dimensional bar code and its bar code reader are known and are disclosed, for example, in the American patent US-A-5,138,140 (Siemiankowski et al.).

When the thread is shipped from the thread manufacturer 200 to the weaver/dyer 300, the weaver/dyer 300 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received thread. The thread delivery service B1 from the thread manufacturer 200 to the weaver/dyer 300 is temporarily stored in a memory (local database) of the weaver/dyer 300. The data C2 of the stored delivery service B1 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

Similarly, when the thread manufacturer 200 ships its own thread to the fabric business company (or fabric/clothing company) 400, the delivery service data C1 in this shipment is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001. The fabric business company 400 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received thread. The delivery service B2 of the thread from the thread manufacturer 200 to the fabric business company 400 is temporarily stored in a memory (local database) of the fabric business company 400. The data C3 of the stored delivery service B2 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

The weaver/dyer 300 attaches its own two-dimensional bar code to its goods (undyed or dyed fabric/clothing) and ships the goods. The delivery service data C2 in this shipment is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001. When this fabric is shipped to the fabric business company 400, the fabric business company 400 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received fabric. The delivery service B3 of the fabric from the dyer 300 to the fabric business company 400 is temporarily stored in a memory (local database), and the data C3 of the stored delivery service B3 is which is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

The fabric business company (or fabric/clothing company) 400 attaches its own two-dimensional bar code to its goods (textiles made of the fabric) and ships its goods. The delivery service data C3 in this shipment is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001. When this fabric is shipped to the sewer 500, the sewer 500 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received fabric. The delivery service B4 of the fabric from the fabric business company 400 to the sewer 500 is temporarily stored in a memory (local database) of the sewer 500, and the data C4 of the stored delivery service B4 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

Similarly, when the fabric business company 400 ships its fabric to the clothing manufacturer 600, the clothing manufacturer 600 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received fabric. The delivery service B5 of the fabric from the fabric business company 400 to the clothing manufacturer 600 is temporarily stored in a memory (local database) of the clothing manufacturer 600. The data C5 of the stored delivery service B5 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and stored in the database 1001.

In a request for a sewing order from the clothing manufacturer 600 to the sewer 500, a predetermined fabric can be sent from the clothing manufacturer 600 to the sewer 500. In this case, the sewer 500 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the fabric received from the clothing manufacturer 600. The delivery service B6 of the fabric from the clothing manufacturer 600 to the sewer 500 is temporarily stored in a memory of the sewer 500. The Data C4 of the stored delivery service B6 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

When the sewer 500 ships a sewn garment to the garment manufacturer 600, the delivery service data C4 in this shipment is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001. The garment manufacturer 600 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received fabric. The delivery service B6 of the garment from the sewer 500 to the garment manufacturer 600 is temporarily stored in a memory of the garment manufacturer 600. The data C5 of the stored delivery service B6 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

The sewer 500 can directly ship a sewn garment to the seller 700, but not to the garment manufacturer 600. The delivery service data C4 in this shipment is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001. In this case, the seller 700 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received garment. The delivery service B7 of the garment from the sewer 500 to the seller 700 is temporarily stored in a memory (local database) of the seller 700. The data C6 of the stored delivery service B7 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

When the clothing manufacturer 600 ships the finished clothing as a product piece to the seller 700, the delivery service data C5 in this shipment is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001. The seller 700 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the received clothing. The delivery service B8 of the clothing from the clothing manufacturer 600 to the seller 700 is temporarily stored in the memory of the seller 700. The data C6 of the stored delivery service B8 is sent through the line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

When a received clothing is sold, the seller 700 reads the two-dimensional bar code of this clothing, and the delivery service B10 of this clothing from the seller 700 to a customer is temporarily stored in the memory of the seller 700. The data (POS data) C6 of the stored delivery service B10 is sent to the UVAS 100 through a line 40 and registered in the database 1001.

Note that the clothing manufacturer 600 sells its own clothing directly to general consumers or customers. In this case, the clothing manufacturer 600 reads the two-dimensional bar code of the clothing sold. The delivery service B9 from the clothing manufacturer 600 to a customer is temporarily stored in the memory of the clothing manufacturer 600. The data (POS data) C5 of the stored delivery service B9 is sent through a line 40 to the UVAS 100 and registered in the database 1001.

Fig. 2 shows the format of a two-dimensional bar code attached to a piece delivered to the market in Fig. 1. This two-dimensional bar code has a storage capacity of 2000 characters (each character is a two-byte encoded character).

The two-dimensional bar code 10 has, for example, a 100-character UVAS unit code 101, a 900-character UVAS reservation area 102, a 200-character system information area 103 and an 800-character UVAS user information area 104. This two-dimensional bar code 10 is, for example, printed on a paper label with an adhesive.

A uniform code used by UVAS 100 without regard to different users is additionally written in the area of the uniform code 101 in addition to the user codes used solely by the users (e.g. thread manufacturers, dyers, fabric business firms, sewers, clothing manufacturers and sellers).

The reservation area 102 is an area that is reserved to expand the UVAS system in the future and is kept empty during the operation period of the original or initial system.

Data necessary for the operation of the current system is written into the system information area 103. The data in the area 103 can be used to determine whether the information from the read or sensed two-dimensional bar code is information used in the UVAS of the current invention or unrelated information from a two-dimensional bar code used in an entirely different system.

The data in the area 103 can also define data processing after determining that the read two-dimensional bar code information is the information of the UVAS in the embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the data in the area 103 can determine whether the contents of the user information area (which will be described later) represent public or private data. The data in the area 103 then defines a data processing method for protecting private information using a password. For example, if the 1 should be private to the clothing manufacturer 600, a password is used to prevent information of the delivery service B7 from leaking to the clothing manufacturer 600 (e.g., an ID code assigned by the UVAS to each system participant may be used as the password. That is, using a system participant ID code, the UVAS 100 delivers data of the delivery service B7 not to the clothing manufacturer 600 but to the seamstress 500 and seller 700).

The user information area 104 is an area for allowing the sewer 200, weaver/dyer 300, fabric store company (or fabric/clothing company) 400, sewer 500, clothing manufacturer 600, or salesman 700 to write information about an item in the delivery service of that item. The data in the user information area 104 is also used for a slip.

Figures 3A and 3B show changes in the information of the two-dimensional bar code (Figure 2) written in the user information area 104 in accordance with the delivery services.

For example, thread information composed of key information including the manufacturing number and manufacturer code of a thread, and composition information including a thread material (e.g., silk or nylon) and a thread twisting method is written in the user information area 104 of a two-dimensional bar code 10 attached to the thread in the delivery service B1 in Fig. 1. The two-dimensional bar code containing this thread information is attached to a thread roll or its package. This thread is shipped to the weaver. The contents of the two-dimensional barcodes are transmitted to the UVAS.

The weaver weaves the supplied thread into a predetermined fabric (or garment). Weaving information, which is made up of key information including the production number and manufacturer code of this fabric, and composition information including the fabric texture (i.e., a combination of weft and warp) and a weaving method, is written in the user information area 104 of the two-dimensional bar code 10, which is attached to the woven fabric (the color of the fabric is the same as that of the thread). The two-dimensional bar code with the thread information and weaving information is attached to the fabric roll or its package. The fabric is then shipped to the dyer. The contents or composition of this two-dimensional bar code are transmitted to the UVAS.

The dyer dyes the supplied white fabric in a predetermined dye color. Dyeing information formed from key information including the manufacturing number and manufacturer code of this fabric and composition information including a fabric dyeing method (e.g., a kind of dye, a kind of dye pot, and dyeing procedures) is written in the user information area 104 of the two-dimensional bar code 10 attached to the dyed fabric.

Rearrangement information formed from key information including fabric product codes obtained when classifying/reclassifying the colored fabrics having slight variations in touch or feel, and composition information including the classification contents of the fabrics is also added to the user information area 104. The two-dimensional bar code that which contains the thread information, the weaving information, the dyeing information and the rearrangement information is attached to this fabric as textiles or its packaging. The fabric is shipped to the fabric business company (or fabric/clothing company). The contents or compositions of the two-dimensional bar code are transmitted to the UVAS.

Note that the weaver and the dyer are represented by the weaver/dyer 300 in Fig. 1.

A two-dimensional bar code with added business company information is formed from key information containing a code for specifying the business company and composition information describing the composition of the fabric at the decision of the business company, and is attached by the fabric business company to the dyed fabric (textile) sent from the dyer. The fabric to which the two-dimensional bar code is attached is sent to the sewer when an order or request is made by the sewer. The contents of this two-dimensional bar code are transmitted to the UVAS.

After the sewer sews the sent fabric into a predetermined garment, a two-dimensional bar code with added sewing information, which is composed of key information containing a code for specifying the sewer (sewing company), key information of the sewing process, and composition information containing the composition (e.g., an S-size one-piece garment) of the garment, is attached to the garment or its package. The garment to which this two-dimensional bar code is attached is shipped to a garment manufacturer as a seller. The composition or contents of this two-dimensional bar code are transmitted to the UVAS.

A two-dimensional bar code to which is added clothing information formed from key information including a code for specifying the clothing manufacturer and composition information including contents (curled S size pink one-piece clothing) at the decision of the clothing manufacturer is attached to the sent clothing (or a label attached to this clothing). The clothing to which this two-dimensional bar code is attached is shipped to the seller (retail store) as a buyer. The contents of the two-dimensional bar code are transmitted to the UVAS.

At this stage, all the composition information of thread, weaving, dyeing, rearranging, business name, and sewing are deleted, and the information can be simplified into only key information. If any piece of composition information is required, the clothing manufacturer can inquire the composition information of the UVAS in accordance with the key information and can know the contents of the key information.

A two-dimensional bar code with added retail information formed from key information containing a code for specifying a boutique and composition information containing contents (curled S size pink one-piece autumn clothing for female workers in their twenties) describing a clothing at the boutique's decision is attached to the sent clothing (or a label attached to the clothing).

When a garment is sold to a customer, the two-dimensional barcode of that garment is scanned using a of a barcode reader and its contents are transferred to the UVAS. The read data can be used in this boutique like normal POS data for management (sales management).

When the data read by the boutique is transferred to the UVAS, data related to the goods delivery services (delivery services for threads, fabrics and clothes) from the thread manufacturer to the customer are collected in the UVAS.

If all the key information of the two-dimensional barcode data collected by the boutique is classified and analyzed, data can be obtained that has never been obtained by any conventional POS data system.

For example, if the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 is accessed using thread key information to retrieve data from a group of two-dimensional code data of various garments that were individually sold in a large number of independent retail stores, one can know an amount of a given thread of a given thread manufacturer used for a specific garment. In addition, if the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 is accessed using store company key information, one can know the amount of a specific fabric of a given fabric store company used for a specific garment. If the clothing (e.g., a bathing suit) is expected to sell as well next year as it did this year, the fabric store company can order the appropriate thread, weaving, and dyeing in advance so that the clothing can be stocked for a peak season.

An identifier (e.g., a deformed identifier of the letters "UVAS") can be written in the user information area 104 (even a complicated identifier can be written if the storage capacity of a two-dimensional bar code is increased). If this identifier is read from the user information area 104 by a two-dimensional bar code reader and displayed or printed together with other information, this identifier can be used as a service identifier in the delivery services.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a delivery service management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

For example, the delivery service management system in Fig. 4 is operated under the following condition. Two-dimensional bar codes (first information holding media) 10a, 10b and 10c are attached as labels to rolls of three different threads A, B and C, which are manufactured and sold by three thread manufacturers (material system) (i), (ii) and (iii), respectively. Each two-dimensional bar code medium may be a label (similar to a label for a 3.5-inch floppy disk) whose lower surface is provided with an adhesive.

The key information (e.g., a product number and a manufacturer code) for specifying the thread manufacturer (i) and the composition information (e.g., physical and chemical properties, the name of the material such as silk or nylon, and others) of the thread A are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10a of the thread A. Similarly, the key information for specifying the thread manufacturer (11) and its composition information are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10b of the thread B, and the key information for specifying the thread manufacturer (iii) and its composition information are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10c of the thread C.

The two-dimensional bar codes (first information holding media) 10d, 10e and 10f are attached as markings to the rolls of fabric D, E and F which are independently manufactured and sold by fabric companies (material system) (iv), (v) and (vi), respectively. The key information (e.g., a product number and a company code) for specifying the fabric company (iv) and the composition information (e.g., physical and chemical properties, a color, sensations and others) of fabric D are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10d of fabric D in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of threads A and B used for fabric D.

Similarly, the key information for specifying the fabric company (v) and the composition information of the fabric E are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10e of the fabric E in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of the threads B and C used for the fabric E, and the key information for specifying the fabric company (vi) and the composition information of the fabric F are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10f of the fabric F in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of the threads A and C used for the fabric F.

Two-dimensional codes (second information holding media) 10g, 10h and 10i are attached to the clothes G, H and I sewn and sold by the clothing manufacturers (processing system) (vii), (viii) and (ix), respectively. The key information (e.g. a clothing code) for specifying the clothing manufacturer (vii) and the composition information (e.g., a color, a pattern, a customer group as a sales target, and others) is represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10g of the clothing G in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of the fabrics E and F used for this clothing G and the threads A to C used for the fabrics E and F.

Similarly, the key information for specifying the clothing manufacturer (viii) and the composition information are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10h of the clothing H in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of the fabrics D and F used for this clothing H and the threads A to C used for the fabrics D and F, and the key information for specifying the clothing manufacturer (ix) and the composition information are represented by the two-dimensional bar code 10i of the clothing I in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of the fabrics D and E used for this clothing I and the threads A to C used for the fabrics D and E.

Two-dimensional bar codes (third information holding media) 10j and 10k of the retail stores (x) and (xi) are attached to the clothes G, H and I sold by the retail stores (x) and (xi). Although a two-dimensional bar code of the retail store can be attached to a clothes in any place, it can be attached to a label of the clothes manufacturer of the clothes.

The key information (e.g., a retail store code) for specifying a retail store (x) and the composition information (e.g., POS data) of clothes G and H sold by the retail store (x) are represented by the two-dimensional lines codes 10j of garments G and H in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of fabrics D to F used for the garments, the two-dimensional bar code information of threads A to C used for those fabrics, and the two-dimensional bar code information of garment manufacturers (vii) and (viii) as the manufacturers of those garments.

Similarly, the key information for specifying the retail store (xi) and the composition information of the clothes H and I sold by the retail store (xi) are represented by two-dimensional bar codes 10k of the clothes H and I in addition to the two-dimensional bar code information of the fabrics D to F used for the clothes, the two-dimensional bar code information of the threads A to C used for these fabrics, and the two-dimensional bar code information of the clothes manufacturers (viii) and (ix) as the manufacturers of the clothes.

The thread manufacturers, the fabric companies, the clothing manufacturers and the retail stores have terminals 20a to 20k which can be connected to the central computer 102 of the UVAS 100 through a digital line 40. The terminals 20a to 20k each have two-dimensional bar code readers/writers 30a to 30k.

These two-dimensional bar code readers/writers scan the two-dimensional bar codes to read their contents. These two-dimensional bar code readers/writers also have a function of converting predetermined data inputted to the terminal keyboards or the like into two-dimensional bar code patterns and writing the converted code patterns into two-dimensional sional barcode media (labels each with an adhesive on the bottom surface).

When the retail store (x) sells the clothing G, the two-dimensional bar code 10j of the clothing G is read by the scanner in the retail store (x). This reading operation is performed for all the clothing sold. The read data (two-dimensional bar code data including POS data) is temporarily stored in a memory or storage device 50j (e.g., a local database consisting of a hard disk or the like). When the retail store (x) is closed at the end of the business hours of each day, the data stored in the memory 50j is sent to the UVAS 100 through a line 40. Similarly, after the closing time of each day, the data (e.g., two-dimensional bar code data including POS data) in the retail store (xi) is also sent from the memory or storage device 50k to the UVAS 100 through the line 40.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the information processing of this delivery service management system for the clothing business world. When the delivery service R1 or R2 in Fig. 1 has taken place, the two-dimensional bar code data C1 is sent from the local database (hard disk) of the thread manufacturer to the UVAS 100. When the UVAS 100 receives this data (YES in ST10), the data C1 is registered in the thread database in the database 1001 of the UVAS (ST11).

When one of the delivery services B2 to B5 has taken place, the two-dimensional bar code data C3 is sent from the local database (hard disk) of the fabric store company to the UVAS 100. When the UVAS 100 receives this data (YES in ST12), then the data C3 are registered in the substance database in the database 1001 of the UVAS (ST13).

When the delivery service B5, B6, B8 or B9 has taken place, the two-dimensional bar code data C5 is sent from the local database (hard disk) of the clothing manufacturer to the UVAS 100. When the UVAS 100 receives this data (YES in ST14), the data C5 is registered in the clothing database in the database 1001 of the UVAS (ST15).

When the delivery service B7, B8 or B10 has taken place, the two-dimensional bar code data C6 is sent from the local database (hard disk) of the seller (retail store) to the UVAS 100. When the UVAS 100 receives this data (YES in ST16), the data C6 is registered in the sales database in the database 1001 of the UVAS (ST17).

Each retail store can issue orders for clothes to the clothing manufacturer through the UVAS 100 using electronic mail (a direct order can be made by telephone/fax). For example, in Fig. 4, if the retail store (x) issues orders for clothes G which are almost out of stock to the clothing manufacturer (vii) through electronic mail, the clothing manufacturer (vii) delivers a predetermined number of the clothes G, each of which has its own two-dimensional bar code 10g, on the due date. When the data of the two-dimensional bar code 10g of the clothes G are sent from the retail store (x) to the UVAS 100 (YES in ST16), the host computer 102 knows the delivery service of the clothes G in this delivery (ST17).

Similarly, when the retail store (xi) orders a clothing G from the clothing manufacturer (vii) and receives the clothing G from the clothing manufacturer (vii), the data of the two-dimensional bar code 10g of the clothing G is sent from the retail store (xi) to the UVAS 100. The central computer 102 knows the delivery service of the clothing G in this delivery.

When the clothes G are almost out of stock, the clothing manufacturer (vii) issues orders for fabrics E and F to make the clothes G to the fabric firms (v) and (vi).

If clothes H are selling well and stocks are almost out, the clothing manufacturer (viii) places orders for fabrics D and F to fabric firms (vi) and (v) to make clothes H.

The fabric company (vi) attaches its own two-dimensional bar code 10f to the fabric F and supplies it to the clothing manufacturers (vii) and (viii). The clothing manufacturer (vii) reads the two-dimensional bar code 10f of the fabric F with its own scanner. The clothing manufacturer (viii) also reads the two-dimensional bar code 10f with its own scanner. The read two-dimensional bar code data are temporarily stored in storage devices (e.g. hard disks) 50g and 50h of the clothing manufacturers (vii) and (viii). At the end of the office hours of the clothing manufacturers (vii) and (viii), the data stored in the storage devices 50g and 50h are sent to the UVAS through a line 40 (YES in ST14). The central computer 102 knows the delivery services of the substance F in these deliveries or shipments (ST15).

When fabric F is almost out of stock, the fabric company (vi) places orders for threads A and C to make of fabric F to thread manufacturers (i) and (iii). When fabric D is almost out of stock, fabric firm (iv) issues orders for threads A and B to make fabric D to thread manufacturers (i) and (11).

The thread manufacturer (1) attaches its own two-dimensional bar code 10a to the thread A and delivers it to the fabric companies (iv) and (vi). The fabric company (iv) reads the two-dimensional bar code 10a of the thread A with its own scanner. The fabric company (vi) also reads the two-dimensional bar code 10a of the thread A with its own scanner. The read two-dimensional bar code data are temporarily stored in storage devices 50d and 50f (e.g., hard disks) of the fabric companies (iv) and (vi). At the end of the office hours of the fabric companies (iv) and (vi), the data stored in the storage devices 50d and 50f are sent through a line 40 to the UVAS 100 (YES in ST12). The central computer 102 knows the delivery services of thread A in these deliveries (ST13).

By repeating the above operations, every time delivery services of threads, fabrics and clothes have taken place between the thread manufacturers, the fabric companies, the clothing manufacturers and the retail stores, the two-dimensional bar code data of the threads, fabrics and clothes are accumulated in the database 104 of the UVAS 100 and classified and rearranged (ST18).

The classified and reorganised information may be offered in an appropriate manner (as a fee-based service) (ST20) in response to a request (YES in ST19) from a UVAS participant. That is, the pieces of information collected by the UVAS participants and transmitted to the UVAS are combined and reorganised. Some of the pieces (all, if required) of the classified and reorganised Information is properly returned or reported back to the WAS participants.

Through this UVAS information service (information feedback), for example, high-selling goods (or low-selling goods) can be known from the two-dimensional bar code data from retail stores. In addition, the sources (manufacturers) of the fabrics and threads used for high-selling (or low-selling) goods and their quantity can also be known. For example, when an inquiry is made to UVAS 100, the quantity and duration of use of fabric D supplied by fabric company (vi) from April to June 1992 and used for high-selling goods can be known. Countermeasures for fabrics used for low-selling goods can be made in advance to stop producing (out of stock) the fabrics.

The system participant (e.g., a thread manufacturer) according to the present invention can know the current sales as a result of using its own thread used for specific garments in a given amount during a predetermined period of time. Similarly, a fabric company can know the current sales as a result of using its own fabrics for specific garments in a given amount during a predetermined period of time. If a fashion/demand trend for garments as end products is detected, demands for the quantities of threads and fabrics in a following season can be expected with a certain probability.

In the above description, a two-dimensional bar code has been assumed as a medium for holding delivery service data. However, this medium may be an IC card or a magnetic card. The present invention is not limited to applications in the clothing retail world, but can be extended to applications in other industries (eg the electronic parts industry) and the accompanying delivery services.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining an information process executed by a delivery service management system of the UVAS 100 shown in Fig. 1. The procedures and processes for the materials (upstream goods) used in high-selling goods or low-selling goods (downstream goods) in accordance with their activation in consumption will be described below.

Suppose that a sales manager of a fabric business company (fabric company) 400 accesses the UVAS 100 to determine how to handle fabric Y as the commodity of that fabric company. This sales manager enters a search period (e.g., April 1, 1992 to March 31, 1993) into his own terminal unit 20d (Fig. 4) to check the activation in consumption of the commodities (clothing) using fabric Y (ST100).

Sales data (POS data) of various types of clothing sold in the past have been stored by a large number of clothing manufacturers 600 and a large number of retail stores (sellers) 700. According to a two-dimensional (2D) bar code, one can know a specific type of fabric used for each clothing in a specific quantity.

For example, as shown in the specification point of the bar code of a given retail store in Figs. 3A and 3B, an apparel or clothing sold in the given retail store has the key information of a fabric business company (or fabric/clothing company) that deals in a fabric for that apparel/clothing. When the database 1001 is accessed based on this key information of the fabric business company, one can know all the pieces of information contained in the bar code of the fabric of the fabric business company. Consequently, one can know the fabrics of all the apparels sold in the past.

The central computer 1002 (Fig. 4) in the UVAS 100 searches and extracts upper class garments (e.g., 1*, 3*, and 5* in Fig. 23) and lower class garments (e.g., 2* and 4* in Fig. 23) obtained during the designated period (April 0, 1992 to March 31, 1993) in the entire clothing business world from POS data (ST102) registered in the database 1001.

The two-dimensional bar codes of the extracted upper-class garments or high-selling goods (1*, 3*, and 5*) and the extracted lower-class garments or low-selling goods (2* and 4*) contain the key information of the fabric business companies. For this reason, when the database 1001 is accessed based on these pieces of key information of the fabric business companies, the fabrics used in the upper-class garments (1*, 3*, and 5*) and the lower-class garments (2* and 4*) can be known.

The sales manager checks at his or her own terminal 20d whether information of substance Y of company 400 is in the registered information of the upper class class clothing (1*, 3* and 5*) and the subclass clothing (2* and 4*) are included (ST104).

For example, the total sales quantity of garments 1* and 3* can be known from their POS data. The quantities of specific fabrics used for specific parts of these garments can be known from the sewing information/garment information (garment information).

If information of substance Y is included in the registered information using the two-dimensional bar codes of, for example, high-end garments 1* and 3* (YES in ST106), the consumption rate of substance Y and the total business list (the total sales amount) of substance Y in high-end garments 1* and 3* can be calculated (ST108).

If the sales quantity (or quantity sold) of clothes 1* and 3* show changes (activation in sales) shown in Figs. 30 and 32 according to the POS data of clothes 1* and 3* during the designated period, a possible future demand for the substance Y can be predicted from these objective data (including such factors as the experiences and premonitions of the sales managers).

After the sales manager has predicted the possible future demand for substance Y, he or she accesses his or her local database (e.g. HD 50d in Fig. 4) to check the inventory quantity or stock level of substance Y (ST110).

If the possible future demand exceeds the stock level of this company (YES in ST112), then there is a high probability of shortages of the substance Y in the near future. For this reason, the sales agent arranges walter or sales manager a new production to avoid the predicted bottlenecks (ST114).

When the sales manager decides the forecast new production quantity and the forecast delivery of fabric Y, he or she prepares a plan for yarn production, weaving and dyeing to adjust the production quantity and delivery in accordance with the load conditions (Fig. 27) of a yarn manufacturer, a weaver and a dyer. Fabric Y is produced in accordance with this plan (ST116).

As described above, if the future demand for fabric Y is predicted and new production is arranged to meet the predicted shortages, fabric Y can be supplied immediately to meet an actual order from a garment manufacturer. That is, a quick response (QR) for arranging the fabrics can be made.

If the predicted demand is greater than the inventory (NO in ST112), then new production of substance Y is not carried out at the moment and the current inventory is maintained (ST118).

On the other hand, if information of the fabric Y is not included in the registered information using the two-dimensional bar codes of the upper-class apparels 1* and 3* (NO in step ST106), but is included in the registered information using the two-dimensional bar codes of the lower-class apparels (poor-selling goods) 2* and 4* (YES in ST120), then the sales manager prepares a plan for emptying the warehouse by means of discounts or the like (ST122).

If information about fabric Y is not included in the registered information of upper class garments 1* and 3*, nor in the registered information of lower class garments 2* and 4* (NO in ST106 and ST120), the sales administrator or sales manager cannot determine the future demand. In this case, fabric Y is stored as one of the company's products, and the current inventory is maintained (ST118).

Fig. 7 shows a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to an electronic parts business world. Fig. 13 shows the changes (changes in the accumulation of the information associated with the delivery services) in the contents of the two-dimensional bar codes attached to the electronic parts (or their packages/packaging materials).

Assume that the electronic parts are magnetic heads. Various magnetic bodies (e.g., ferrites and permalloy) for magnetic circuits and various wires for windings, which serve as raw materials, are supplied from at least one material manufacturer to a material business company. Two-dimensional bar codes issued by the material manufacturers are attached to the packaging materials of the magnetic bodies for magnetic circuits and the wires for windings.

Each two-dimensional bar code contains material information of a material manufacturer as shown in Fig. 13. This two-dimensional bar code is read by the material business company at the time of receipt. The read two-dimensional bar code information is sent to the UVAS 100 in Fig. 1 through a communication line 40.

The material business company stores various raw materials supplied by material companies in order to supply the materials to electronic parts manufacturers to fulfill individual orders. For example, the material business company supplies ferrites for magnetic circuits and a polyester-coated copper wire for windings ordered by an electronic parts manufacturer. Two-dimensional bar codes issued by the material business company are attached to the packaging materials of the ferrites for magnetic circuits and the polyester-coated copper wire for windings.

Each two-dimensional bar code contains material business company information in addition to the raw material information, as shown in Fig. 13. This two-dimensional bar code is read by the electronic parts manufacturer at the time of receipt. The read two-dimensional bar code information is sent to the UVAS 100 through a communication line 40.

An electronic parts manufacturer can directly purchase ferrites for magnetic circuits and polyester-coated copper wires for windings from a variety of material manufacturers. In this case, the two-dimensional bar code issued by each magnetic material manufacturer and attached to the packaging material of the ferrites for magnetic circuits is read by the electronic parts manufacturer at the time of receipt. The two-dimensional bar code issued by the electrical wire material manufacturer and attached to the packaging material of the polyester-coated copper wire for windings is read by the electronic parts manufacturer at the time of receipt. These pieces of read two-dimensional bar code information are sent to the UVAS 100 through a communication line 40. det. In this case no material company information is sent to the UVAS 100.

The electronic parts manufacturer manufactures magnetic heads of its own technical specifications using the supplied ferrites for magnetic circuits, the supplied polyester-coated copper wire for windings, and the like, and supplies the magnetic heads to a parts business company as a buyer for this electronic parts manufacturer. A two-dimensional bar code issued by the electronic parts manufacturer is attached to the packaging material for each lot of magnetic heads.

As shown in Fig. 13, this two-dimensional bar code contains electronic parts manufacturer information in addition to the raw material information and the material business company information. This two-dimensional bar code is read at the time of receipt from the parts business company. The read two-dimensional bar code is sent to the UVAS 100 through a communication line 40.

This parts business company, for example, assembles cassette tape recorders by attaching various mechanical parts/electronic parts in addition to the magnetic heads, attaches its own two-dimensional bar codes to the packages of the finished cassette decks, and sells the finished products. In this case, since the cassette deck has a large number of components, only the key information of the parts used in the cassette deck is written in the two-dimensional bar code. If the key information is known, the UVAS 100 can be accessed for the detailed contents or compositions of the components, and thus no problem arises.

For example, in the arrangements of Figs. 7 and 13, one can easily know the quantities of magnetic circuit ferrites sold by a given magnetic body material manufacturer and used in cassette decks of parts store company A and video recorders of parts store company B.

Fig. 8 shows a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a camera business world.

Various materials (e.g., lens glass and metal/plastic materials for mechanical parts) constituting camera parts are supplied from at least one material manufacturer to a material business company. Two-dimensional bar codes issued by the respective material manufacturers are attached to the packaging materials of these raw materials. The material business company reads the two-dimensional bar codes of the supplied raw materials and transmits the contents of the bar codes to the UVAS 100 through a communication line 40.

The material business company stores various raw materials and supplies these raw materials to camera parts manufacturers to fulfill their individual orders. For example, the material business company supplies lens glass ordered by a camera parts manufacturer. A two-dimensional bar code issued by the material business company is attached to the packaging material of this glass.

The camera parts manufacturer can directly order a material from a material manufacturer as required. The camera parts manufacturer also deals in autofocus mechanisms and electronic circuit parts for EE mechanisms.

The camera parts manufacturer attaches its own two-dimensional bar codes to the processed glass parts (e.g., lenses and prisms) and electronic circuit parts for EE mechanisms and supplies them to a camera parts business company. The camera parts business company reads the two-dimensional bar codes of the supplied camera parts and transmits the contents of these bar codes to the UVAS 100 through a line 40.

The camera parts business company stores various camera parts and supplies camera parts to a camera manufacturer to fulfill individual orders. For example, this camera parts business company supplies lenses ordered by a camera manufacturer. A two-dimensional bar code issued by the camera parts business company is attached to the packaging material of the lenses. Note that the camera manufacturer can order camera parts directly from a parts manufacturer as needed.

The camera manufacturer reads the two-dimensional bar code of the supplied lenses and transmits the contents of the bar code through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The camera manufacturer attaches its own two-dimensional bar code to the packaging of a camera manufactured by that camera manufacturer and supplies the cameras to each wholesaler. The wholesaler reads the two-dimensional bar code of the stored camera and transmits the contents or composition of the bar code through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The wholesaler, who has various types of cameras from different camera manufacturers in stock, attaches his own two-dimensional bar codes to the cameras as his own goods and delivers the cameras to the customer. meras to each retail store. The retail store reads the two-dimensional bar code from the supplied camera and transmits the contents of the bar code through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

In the arrangement of Fig. 8, for example, one can know the quantities of glass sold by a given lens material manufacturer that is used in the high-end still cameras of Company A and the high-end video cameras of Company B. In addition, one can also know the quantity of glass used in the entire video camera business.

Fig. 9 shows a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to the electric consumer goods business. This application is similar to that in Fig. 8 if the camera parts are replaced by the electric consumer goods.

Fig. 14 shows changes (changes in the accumulation of the information associated with the delivery services) in the contents or compositions of the two-dimensional bar codes attached to parts (or packages/packaging materials) used in accordance with the delivery services in the camera business world in Fig. 8 or the electrical consumer goods business world in Fig. 9.

For example, as shown at the left end of Fig. 14, a two-dimensional bar code containing key information of a material manufacturer, key information of a material business company, key information of a parts business company, key information of a camera manufacturer (or an electric consumer goods manufacturer), and composition information is printed on a label provided by the camera manufacturer (or the electric consumer goods manufacturer). manufacturer) supplied camera (or an electrical consumer product such as a television set). The detailed composition information associated with the material manufacturer, the material business company and the parts business company can be obtained by accessing the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 by referring to the corresponding pieces of key information.

As shown in the middle of Fig. 14, a two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the material manufacturer, the key information of the material business company, the key information of the parts business company, the key information of the camera manufacturer (or the electric consumer goods manufacturer), the key information of a wholesaler, and composition information is attached to a camera (or a TV) supplied by this wholesaler. The detailed composition information associated with the material manufacturer, the material business company, the parts business company, and the camera manufacturer (or the electric consumer goods manufacturer) can be obtained by accessing the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 by referring to the corresponding pieces of key information.

As shown at the right end of Fig. 14, a two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the material manufacturer, the key information of the material business company, the key information of the parts business company, the key information of the camera manufacturer (or the electrical consumer goods manufacturer), the key information of the wholesaler, the key information of a retail store, and composition information is attached to a camera (or a TV) sold by this retail store. The detailed composition information of the material ale manufacturer, material business company, parts business company, camera manufacturer (or electrical consumer goods manufacturer) and wholesaler can be obtained by accessing the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 by referring to the corresponding pieces of key information.

Fig. 10 shows a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a food processing business world.

For example, when an import business firm imports wheat from a foreign country and delivers it to a first-line processor, a two-dimensional bar code containing key information of that import business firm and composition information (e.g., a country of origin/name of production area, a harvest year, the use/non-use of pesticides/insecticides) associated with the wheat is attached to a wheat storage bag.

The first processing worker reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the wheat storage bag and sends the read contents to the UVAS 100 through a communication line 40.

The first processing worker checks the quality of the wheat and the use/non-use of pesticides/insecticides from the composition information written in the two-dimensional barcode, and processes the wheat into flour in accordance with an appropriate processing method. A two-dimensional barcode containing the key information of the import business company, the key information of the first processing worker and composition information is attached to the flour storage bag. The bag is then delivered to the second processing worker.

The second processing worker reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the flour storage bag and sends the read contents through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The second processing worker checks the quality of the flour and the like in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional bar code and produces macaroni. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the import business company, the key information of the first processing worker, and the key information of the second processing worker and composition information is attached to the resulting macaroni storage bag. The macaroni storage bags are then shipped to a food manufacturer.

The food manufacturer reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to each macaroni storage bag and sends the read contents through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The food manufacturer checks the quality of the macaroni and the like in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional bar code, and produces, for example, "Macaroni au Gratin" packages for oven cooking according to a cooking method suitable for these macaroni. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the import business company, the key information of the first processing worker, the key information of the second processing worker, the key information of the food manufacturer, and composition information is attached to the packaging box of the "Macaroni au Gratin". The packaging boxes are then shipped to each grocery store company.

In the arrangement of Fig. 10, for example, "macaroni au gratin" sold by a given food manufacturer (or a Chinese noodle ready meal of another food manufacturer made using the same wheat as the "macaroni au gratin") is tastier than equivalent products of other companies and is a best seller, and the reasons can be checked and investigated down to the information of the country of origin/production area, the year of harvest, and the like.

Fig. 11 shows a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a chemical products business world.

For example, when a given import business firm imports crude oil from a foreign firm and delivers it to a first processor, a two-dimensional bar code containing key information of that import business firm and composition information (e.g., a country of origin/name of oil field, and quality) associated with the crude oil is attached to a crude oil storage container.

The first processing worker reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the crude oil storage vessel and sends the read contents through a communication line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The first processing worker checks the quality of the crude oil and the like in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional bar code and refines the crude oil into Gasoline, fuel oil and heavy oil in accordance with the refining process suitable for this crude oil. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the import business company, the key information of the first processing worker and composition information is attached to the heavy oil storage container or the like. The heavy oil storage container is shipped to a second processing worker.

The second processing worker reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the, e.g., heavy oil storage tank and sends the read contents through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The second processing worker checks the quality of the heavy oil and the like in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional bar code, and produces, for example, a colored plastic material (thermoplastic resin) in accordance with a manufacturing method suitable for the components of this crude oil. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the import business company, the key information of the first processing worker, the key information of the second processing worker, and composition information is attached to the storage container containing the resulting plastic material. The storage container is shipped to a chemical product manufacturer.

The chemical product manufacturer reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the storage container in which the plastic material is stored and sends the read contents through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The chemical product manufacturer checks the quality (e.g., physical properties) of the plastic in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional bar code and properly processes the plastic material to produce, for example, molded parts for plastic models. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the import business company, the key information of the first processing worker, the key information of the second processing worker, the key information of the chemical product manufacturer and composition information is attached to a packaging box of the resulting molded parts. The packaging boxes are shipped to each chemical material business company.

In the arrangement of Fig. 11, for example, if it is found that a poisonous gas is generated during combustion of the plastic model using the plastic moldings manufactured by a given chemical product manufacturer, the reason for this can be checked and investigated up to the first/second processing stage and then the raw material stage.

Fig. 12 shows a delivery service when the delivery service management system according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is applied to a drug business world.

For example, when a given commodity business company stores foreign and domestic medicinal plants and delivers them to a first processing worker, a two-dimensional bar code containing key information of this commodity business company and composition information (e.g., the name of the place of collecting, the time of collecting, an analysis result of chemical components and any other quality) associated with the medicinal plants is plants, attached to each medicinal plant storage container.

The first processing worker reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the medicinal plant storage container and sends the read information through a communication line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The first processing worker checks the quality/components of the medicinal plant in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional barcode, and extracts/purifies a specific medicinal component from the medicinal plant in accordance with a processing method suitable for that medicinal plant. A two-dimensional barcode containing the key information of the raw material business company, the key information of the first processing worker, and composition information is attached to the storage container containing the extracted/purified medicinal component. This storage container is shipped to the second processing worker.

The second processing worker reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the medical component storage container and sends the read contents through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The second processing worker checks the quality of the medical component and the like in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional bar code, and produces a sedative/antipyretic in accordance with a method suitable for this medical component. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the raw material business company, the key information of the first processing worker, the A label containing key information of the second processing worker and composition information is attached to the storage container of the resulting sedative/antipyretic. The containers are shipped to each chemical material business company (or drug manufacturer).

The chemical material business company reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the sedative/antipyretic storage container and sends the read contents through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The chemical material business company stores different drugs from different processing workers. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the raw material business company, the key information of the first processing worker, the key information of the second processing worker, the key information of the chemical material business company, and composition information is attached to a packaging box of a drug ordered by a buyer (drug manufacturer) out of all the stored drugs. The ordered drug packaging boxes are shipped to the drug manufacturer.

For example, the drug manufacturer checks the quality (e.g., the details of the components, properties, side effects of the drug) of the ordered drug in accordance with the composition information written in the two-dimensional bar code, obtains the approval of the Ministry of Health (or verifies that the drug has already been approved) and produces this product as an approved medical product (sedative/antipyretic). A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the raw material business company, the key information of the first processing worker, the key information of the second processing worker, the key information of the chemical material business company, the key information of the drug manufacturer and composition information is attached to the package of the drug product. The packages are then shipped to each medical supply dealer (or a hospital).

The medical supply retailer reads the two-dimensional bar code attached to the storage container of the drug product (sedative/antipyretic) and sends the read contents through a line 40 to the UVAS 100.

The medical supply dealer checks the quality, properties and side effects of the drug in accordance with the composition information and content information written in the two-dimensional bar code, and classifies and arranges the contents. A two-dimensional bar code containing the key information of the raw material business company, the key information of the first processing worker, the key information of the second processing worker, the key information of the chemical material business company, the key information of the drug manufacturer, the key information of the medical supply dealer and composition information is attached to the packaging box of this classified and arranged medical product. The packaging boxes are then shipped to each hospital or pharmacy.

In the arrangement of Fig. 12, if it turns out that unexpected similar side effects are caused by drugs manufactured independently by at least two drug manufacturers, the reason must be checked and examined up to the first/second processing stage and then the raw material stage.

In the delivery services in Figs. 10 to 12, the processing workers are the first and second processing workers. However, only the first processing worker can be used, and the number of kinds of processing workers can be three or more.

Fig. 15 is a modification of the two-dimensional bar code format shown in Fig. 2. This format is used in the delivery services in Figs. 1 and 7 to 12. The format in Fig. 15 is obtained by adding a protection information area 105 to the format in Fig. 2.

In the format of Fig. 15, the user information A, user information B and user information C are pieces of public information. However, the user information D is private information. In this case, protection flags A=0, B=0, C=0 and D=1 are written in the protection information area 105. If the protection flags are set to "0", the corresponding pieces of information (A to C) are not protected. However, if the protection flag is set to "1", the corresponding information (D) is protected. These protection flags are written using a two-dimensional bar code reader/writer (any of 30a to 30k in Fig. 4) when outputting the two-dimensional bar code.

Of all the information written in the two-dimensional bar code of the retail store shown in Fig. 3, all pieces are Key information such as the thread key information, weaving key information and dyeing key information are public information. For this reason, the protection flags of these pieces of information are set to "0". On the other hand, if the composition information of the garments or clothing and the composition information of the retail store require secrecy, the protection flags of these pieces of composition information are set to "1".

Even if key information is known to a third party, there is no problem because of the following reason. Even if the third party wants to know the registered UVAS information (composition information) corresponding to this key information, this third party, who is not qualified to access the registered information (qualification can be represented by an ID issued by the UVAS 100), cannot access the composition information of the UVAS 100 corresponding to the key information.

Fig. 16 shows a method for performing the protection of the information read from a two-dimensional bar code having the format shown in Fig. 15.

The two-dimensional bar code in Fig. 15 is scanned with a two-dimensional bar code reader (for example, 30k in Fig. 4) of the seller (retail store) 70 in Fig. 1. A central processing unit (CPU; not shown) in the terminal unit 20k connected to this bar code reader 30k reads the contents of the unit code area 101, the system information area 103, user information area 104 and information protection area 105 in accordance with the scanned two-dimensional bar code (ST200).

The CPU in the connection unit checks whether the protection flags are set to "1" in accordance with the read content of the information protection area (ST202). In the case shown in Fig. 5, the protection flags of the user information A, user information B and user information C are set to "0", and the protection flag of the user information D is set to "1".

Since the user information A, the user information B and the user information C whose protection flags are set to "0" are not protected (NO in ST202), the reading result of the two-dimensional bar code (the contents of the user information A, the user information B and the user information C) is displayed on the display device of the terminal unit 20k and printed as required (ST206)

Since the user information D is protected with the protection flag "1" (YES in ST202), the reading result of the two-dimensional bar code (the contents of the user information D) is unknown. If an operator of the terminal unit 20k that has read the two-dimensional bar code is qualified to access the information D (for example, if the information D belongs to the retail store that uses this terminal unit and this terminal unit has the specific user ID = D), a memory (ROM) that stores a decoding table for decoding the scrambled information D is provided in this In this case, the CPU in the connection unit 20k looks up the decoding table of the ROM contained therein to decode the scrambled user information D with the protection flag "1" and convert the code of the user information D into accessible contents (ST204).

The contents of the code-converted user information D are displayed on the display device of the terminal unit 20k and printed out as required (ST206).

Fig. 17 shows the changes in the two-dimensional bar code through the delivery services when producing a variety of fabrics (processed goods; downstream goods) from a variety of threads (raw material; upstream goods).

For example, when thread manufacturer A* dyes its own thread red and ships red thread A, two-dimensional bar code 10 inscribed with thread information 104A containing key information of thread manufacturer A* and composition information of thread A is attached to a package of this thread A. When thread manufacturer B* dyes its own thread green and ships green thread B, two-dimensional bar code 10 inscribed with thread information 104B containing key information of thread manufacturer B* and composition information of thread B is attached to a package of this thread B. When the thread manufacturer C* dyes its own thread blue and ships the blue thread C, the two-dimensional bar code 10 written with the thread information 104C containing the key information of the thread manufacturer C* and composition information of the thread C is attached to a package of the thread C.

Assume that threads B and C are shipped to weaver X* and fabric X is produced. A two-dimensional bar code 10 inscribed with thread information 104B and thread information 104C together with cloth information 104X containing key information of weaver X* and composition information of fabric X is attached to the package of fabric X when fabric X is to be shipped.

On the other hand, the threads A to C are also shipped to the thread processing worker S*. The thread processing worker S* produces a twisted thread S. obtained by twisting the threads A to C. The two-dimensional bar code 10 described with the thread information 104A, thread information 104B, and thread information 104C of the raw materials together with the thread information 104S containing the key information of the thread processing worker S* and composition information of the twisted thread S is attached to the package of the twisted thread S when the twisted thread S is to be shipped.

This twisted thread S and another decorative thread T are shipped to another weaver Y*. The two-dimensional bar code 10, which is labeled or written with the thread information 104T, containing the key information of the thread manufacturer and composition information of the decorative thread T, is attached to the decorative thread T.

The weaver Y* produces the fabric Y using the twisted thread S and decorative thread T. The two-dimensional bar code 10 associated with the thread information 104A, thread information 104B, thread information 104C, thread information 104S and thread information 104T The fabric information tag 104Y, which contains the key information of the weaver Y* and composition information of fabric Y, shall be attached to the packaging of fabric Y when fabric Y is to be shipped.

The two-dimensional bar code 10, the related information (key information related to the source of the goods and composition information or content information of the goods themselves) of which is accumulated by the delivery services from the production of the threads (A to C, S and T) to the production of the fabric (X and Y), is always attached to the delivery service goods (articles) and moved together with them.

When the two-dimensional bar code 10 attached to the goods (articles) at each delivery service stage is read, one can obtain the current information of the goods (articles) themselves and the information up to the stage of the raw material used for these goods.

The information read from this two-dimensional bar code 10 is sequentially registered in the database 1001 of the UVAS 100. Once the read information is registered, the two-dimensional bar code 10 can only have the key information for the registered information (the composition information can be obtained by accessing the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 by referring to the corresponding key information).

This key information requires a smaller number of character codes than the corresponding composition information. Although the amount of information accumulated in the two-dimensional bar code 10 is increased by complicated delivery services, most pieces of information can be stored in the Database 1001 of the UVAS 100. The storage capacity of the two-dimensional bar code 10 is not exceeded in practice during any delivery service.

Fig. 18 is a graph showing the changes in the production amount of a raw material (polyester thread A) for each week and delivery service targets/amounts. Fig. 19 is a view showing the process of consumption at specific times at specific locations of the raw material (thread A) in accordance with the data of the graph in Fig. 18.

Assume that the yarn manufacturer A* has a capacity to produce the polyester yarn A with a maximum of 200 tons per week, and that the polyester yarn A is produced in a predetermined quantity per week within the production capacity (200 t/W).

Assume that thread A is produced in the first week of November 1993 in a total quantity of 120 tons, that 90 tons of thread A are shipped to at least one weaver, that 20 tons of the 90 tons of thread A are used to weave at least one type of fabric, and that the fabric or fabrics are transferred to at least one dyer. The stock of thread A of thread manufacturer A* is 30 tons, and the thread A (in the fabric or fabrics) remaining with at least one weaver is 70 tons in total. The thread A used for the fabric or fabrics transferred to the at least one dyer is 20 tons in total.

These pieces of information are stored in the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 from the read result of the two-dimensional len bar codes through the delivery services of the thread A or the fabric or fabrics obtained by weaving the thread A. When all the pieces of information associated with the thread A and registered in the database 1001 are collected and classified together with the transfer destinations of the thread within a specific period (first week), a bar chart for the first week is obtained in Fig. 18.

Similarly, assume that thread A is produced in the second week of November 1993 in a total quantity of 180 tons including the current inventory of 30 tons from last week, that all of the thread produced is shipped to at least one weaver, that at least one type of fabric is made using 160 tons of the 180 tons, and that the fabric or fabrics made are transferred or sent to at least one dyer. Of the 160 tons of fabric, a total quantity of at least one type of 110 tons of fabric dyed by at least one dyer is delivered to at least one clothing manufacturer. Also assume that at least one type of clothing sewn using 30 tons of the 110 tons of fabric is delivered to at least one retail store.

Under the above assumptions, the stock quantity of thread A of thread manufacturer A* is 0 tons, and the fabric A (in the fabric) remaining with at least one weaver is 20 tons in total. The thread component A in the fabric remaining with at least one dyer is 50 tons in total. The thread component in the fabric or garments remaining with at least one garment manufacturer is 80 tons in total. The thread component in the garments remaining with at least one delivered to at least one retail store totals 30 tonnes.

These pieces of information are registered in the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 in accordance with the reading result of the two-dimensional bar code by the delivery service of the thread A, the fabric obtained by weaving the thread A, or the garments sewn using this thread. When the information associated with the thread A registered in the database 1001 is collected and classified together with the thread destinations within a specific period (2nd week), a bar chart for the second week is obtained in Fig. 18.

The bar graphs for the third and fourth weeks in Fig. 18 are obtained from the reading results of the two-dimensional bar codes in the third and fourth weeks of November 1993.

When the changes in the amount of the thread A with respect to a predetermined production amount (for example, 100 tons/week) of the thread A in the associated business are arranged in units of weeks, a graph such as that shown in Fig. 19 can be obtained.

The graphical representations in Figs. 18 and 19 show a service offered to a specific thread manufacturer by the UVAS 100 using two-dimensional bar codes 10.

For example, from the graph in Fig. 19, the thread manufacturer A* can determine the temporal changes in the storage/consumption locations of the thread A produced by the manufacturer A* in a predetermined quantity (100 tonnes/week) is produced and know storage/consumption locations of thread A in manufactured goods (ie fabrics and clothing) using this thread A.

From the graph of Fig. 19, it can be seen that 100 tons of thread A produced by manufacturer A* are completely shipped in the second week of each month and are completely consumed as manufactured goods in the fourth week of that month. At the level of thread manufacturer A* (not at the level of either the clothing manufacturer or the retail store), thread A appears to be used for high-volume goods sold in large quantities within a short period of time. The manager of thread manufacturer A* can also predict orders for thread A immediately after it is produced.

The graphs in Figs. 18 and 19 represent proprietary information. More specifically, for the thread manufacturer A*, the composition information (information representing a shipment quantity, a shipment destination, and a price) of a thread A in a two-dimensional bar code 10 attached to the packages of various kinds of threads shipped by the thread manufacturer A* is private information that should not be known to a third party. If this information corresponds to the user information A in Fig. 15, the protection flag A of the information of the thread A is set to "1". For this reason, even if a third party reads this two-dimensional bar code 10, the composition information of the thread A is unknown. The information shown in Fig. 18 or 19 will not leak to a third party.

If clothing information (without protection) of the clothings using thread A can be obtained by accessing the UVAS 100 based on the collected result of the two-dimensional bar code information read at each retail store, the thread manufacturer A* can also know the specific amount of thread A used in specific fabrics used for specific parts of specific clothings of specific clothing manufacturers.

If the above information can be offered to thread manufacturer A* without any protection except for the information of the "specific garment manufacturers", the UVAS 100 classifies a large number of the garment manufacturers into groups. In this case, the UVAS 100 can offer to thread manufacturer A* an information service representing specific quantities of thread A used in specific fabrics of specific garments in each garment group.

According to the above-mentioned process, it is possible to capture the composition information (of a thread A and its products) related only to a specific thread manufacturer/seller from a group of pieces of information inputted into the UVAS 100 by the delivery service, the inputted pieces of information being obtained from many two-dimensional bar code sheets attached to various products including the materials (thread A) and its manufactured goods (clothing/fabric, clothes, etc.).

If the content of the recorded information includes a variety of pieces of information (e.g. the manufacturer's own inventory, the locations of the threads, the used in clothing/fabric supplied to various clothing manufacturers, the positions of threads used in clothing sold, etc.), the UVAS 100 can perform a special information service for returning the delivery information (as shown in Fig. 18 or 19) obtained by arranging and classifying the recorded information for each of the information items back to the supplier (manufacturer/seller of thread A) specified by the key information of the materials (thread A).

Fig. 20 is a graph showing changes in the production quantity of a raw material (material Y) per week and delivery service targets/quantities. Fig. 21 corresponds to the data in the graph in Fig. 20 and represents the consumption of the raw material (material Y) at different locations and at specific times.

Assume that the fabric business firm Y* has a capacity to produce fabric Y with a maximum of 100 tons per week, and that fabric Y is produced in a predetermined quantity per week within the production capacity (100 t/W).

Suppose that fabric Y is produced in a total quantity of 80 tons in the first week of December 1993, that 30 tons of these 80 tons of fabric Y are shipped to at least one tailor and that 30 tons of fabric Y are also shipped to at least one clothing manufacturer. The stock quantity of fabric Y in the fabric business firm Y* is 20 tons and the fabric Y remaining with at least one tailor is 30 tons in total. The fabric Y used for clothing manufactured by at least one The total amount of fabrics sewn by clothing manufacturers is 30 tons.

These pieces of information are registered in the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 from the reading result of the two-dimensional bar code by the delivery service of the fabric Y or the garments obtained by sewing the fabric Y. When the information associated with the fabric Y registered in the database 1001 is collected and classified together with the fabric destinations within a specific period (first week), a bar chart for the first week is obtained in Fig. 20.

Similarly, suppose that fabric Y is produced in the second week of December 1993 in a total quantity of 90 tons including the inventory of 20 tons from last week, and that 30 tons out of the 90 tons are shipped to at least one sewer, and that 60 tons of fabric Y are also shipped to at least one clothing manufacturer. In addition, suppose that one or more types of clothing sewn using 50 tons out of the 60 tons of fabric Y shipped to at least one clothing manufacturer are shipped to at least one retail store.

The inventory of fabric Y of fabric store firm Y* is 0 tons. The fabric Y (in the garments for sewing) remaining with at least one sewer totals 30 tons. The fabric component Y in the fabric or garments remaining with at least one garment manufacturer totals 45 tons. The fabric component Y in the garments delivered to at least one retail store totals 15 tons.

These pieces of information are registered in the database 1001 of the UVAS 100 from the reading result of the two-dimensional bar code by the delivery service of the fabric Y or the clothes sewn using this fabric. When the information associated with the fabric Y registered in the database 1001 is collected and classified together with the destinations of the fabric (or clothes) within a specific period (second week), a bar chart for the second week can be obtained in Fig. 20.

The bar graphs for the 3rd and 4th weeks in Fig. 20 can be obtained from the reading results of the two-dimensional bar codes for the 3rd and 4th weeks of December 1993, the results of which are registered in the database 1001 of the UVAS 100.

If temporal changes (in units of weeks) in the amounts of substance Y are arranged with respect to the predetermined production quantity (e.g. 70 tons per week) in the related business world, a graphical representation is obtained in Fig. 21.

The graphical representations in Figs. 20 and 21 show a service offered to a specific fabric store company by the UVAS 100 using the two-dimensional bar codes 10.

For example, from the graph in Fig. 21, the fabric business firm Y* can know temporal changes in the storage/consumption locations of the fabric Y produced by the fabric business firm Y* in a predetermined quantity (70 tons/week) and the storage/consumption locations of the fabric Y in processed goods (i.e., clothing) using this fabric Y.

From the graph of Fig. 21, it is found that 70 tons of cloth Y produced by the cloth store firm Y* are completely shipped in the 2nd week of each month and are completely consumed as manufactured goods in the 4th week of that month. It is found that at the cloth store firm Y* level (not at the clothing manufacturer level nor at the retail store level) cloth Y appears to be used for high-volume goods which are sold in a large quantity within a short period of time. The salesman of the cloth store firm Y* can predict additional orders for cloth Y immediately after it is produced.

The graphs in Figs. 20 and 21 represent proprietary information. More specifically, for the fabric business company Y*, the composition information (information representing a shipment quantity, a shipment destination, and a price) of the fabric Y in the two-dimensional bar codes 10 attached to the packages of the various kinds of fabrics shipped by the fabric business company Y* is private information that should not be known to a third party. If this information corresponds to the user information B in Fig. 15, the protection flag B of the information of the fabric Y is set to "1". For this reason, even if the third party reads this two-dimensional bar code 10, the composition information of the fabric Y is unknown. The information shown in Figs. 20 or 21 will not leak to a third party.

If the clothing information (without protection) of the garments using the substance Y is checked by the UVAS 100 based on the collected result of the two-dimension dimensional bar code information read at every retail store, fabric store company Y* can also know specific quantities of fabric Y used in specific pieces of specific garments by specific garment manufacturers.

If the above information can be offered to a fabric manufacturer Y* without any protection except for the information of the "specific clothing manufacturers", the UVAS 100 classifies a large number of clothing manufacturers into groups. In this case, the UVAS 100 can offer a fabric business firm Y* an information service representing specific quantities of the fabric Y used in specific clothing of each clothing group.

The fabric store company Y* can also know the use status of fabric Y for each category of clothing. The UVAS 100 can provide a service to the fabric store company Y* that represents, for example, the quantities of fabric Y used for lining in relation to the total quantities used in the suits sold in a variety of retail stores during the first to fourth weeks of March 1994.

According to the above-mentioned process, it is possible to pick up the composition information (of the clothing/fabric Y and its products) relating only to a specific clothing/fabric company from a group of pieces of information entered into the UVAS 100 with the delivery service, the entered pieces of information being obtained from the many two-dimensional bar code sheets attached to the various products including the materials (clothing/fabric Y) and their manufactured goods (e.g., clothes).

When the content of the recorded information includes a variety of information items (e.g., the company's own inventory, the locations of the clothing/fabric delivered to various clothing manufacturers, the positions of the clothing/fabric used in the clothing sold, etc.), the UVAS 100 can perform a special information service for returning the delivery information (as shown by Fig. 20 or 21) obtained by arranging and classifying the recorded information for each of the information items back to the supplier (company or corporation of the clothing/fabric Y) specified by the key information of the materials (thread A).

Fig. 22 is a graph showing the sales quantities for goods based on a specific clothing manufacturer, the graph representing a part of the information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. The information of this graph is obtained from POS information from the specific clothing manufacturers and represents protected private information that should be unknown to a third party.

Fig. 23 is a graph showing the relative sales quantities of similar clothing in the clothing business world consisting of a plurality of unspecified clothing manufacturers, the graph representing a portion of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. The management state of a specific The information in this graphic does not reveal the identity of the clothing manufacturer. The information processed in the clothing business world does not need to be protected and can be open or accessible to UVAS 100 participants.

Figure 24 is a graph showing the real-time loads of a plurality of sewers having business transactions with a specific garment manufacturer, the graph representing a portion of an information service that may be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. The information in this graph is not open to the subscribers except for the specific garment manufacturer and is thus protected.

Incidentally, in the illustration of Fig. 24, the sewer capacity is known information already input into the UVAS 100, while the current sewing load can be known from accumulated pieces of information collected via a digital communication line 40 from various two-dimensional bar code sheets read at different locations.

This graphical representation, which represents the load conditions of the sewers, provides information that is suitable for completing the sewing of the desired garments in the most efficient way within a short period of time. This information is indispensable for a quick response QR in the production of garments.

Fig. 25 shows a graphical representation showing the sales quantity for each specification point (activation in sales for each color) of the garments in the clothing business world consisting of a plurality of clothing manufacturers, the graphical representation representing a portion of an information service that may be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. The information processed does not need to be protected and is open or accessible to all participants of the UVAS 100, since the information in this graphical representation is obtained in the clothing business world.

If it is seen from the graph in Fig. 25 that the apparel C1 is currently a top selling commodity in the apparel business, a given apparel manufacturer can access the UVAS 100 to know a ratio of its own blue apparel to all blue apparel as top sellers.

When the graph in Fig. 22 is compared with that in Fig. 23, the given clothing manufacturer can compare the sales volume of his clothing 3 with that of a similar clothing 3* in the clothing business world. From the result of the comparison between the graphs of Figs. 22 and 23, a sales manager of the clothing manufacturer, if he (or she) judges that the sales of his (or her) clothing 3 are no better than those of a similar clothing 3* in the present business world, can develop a new plan for improving the sales of the clothing 3 long before the gross sales of the clothing 3 may have fallen considerably.

Fig. 26 is a graph showing the sales volumes of clothing (downstream goods) using specific fabrics (upstream goods) in the clothing business world, the graph representing a part of an information service t that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. This graphical representation represents a service to a specific fabric business company and provides proprietary information.

A business firm dealing in cloth Y can know from the graph in Fig. 26 that 20 rolls of cloth Y are used for the right-hand fabric of the garment 1* of an arbitrary garment manufacturer (the garment manufacturer cannot be specified at this time) and the shipping data of cloth Y.

Fig. 27 is a graph showing the real-time load conditions of a plurality of thread manufacturers/weavers having business transactions with a specific fabric business company, the graph representing a portion of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. This graph represents a service to the specific fabric business company and provides proprietary information.

Incidentally, in the illustration of Fig. 27, the capacity of the yarn maker/weaver is known information already inputted into the UVAS 100, while the current yarn manufacturing load/weaving load can be known from the accumulated pieces of information collected via a digital communication line 40 from various two-dimensional bar code sheets read at various locations.

The graphical representation representing the stress conditions of the thread manufacturer/weaver provides information that is suitable for producing the desired fabrics most effectively within a short period of time. This information is essential for a quick response QR in the production of the fabrics.

Fig. 28 is a graph representing the sales quantities of goods (fabric) of a specific fabric business company, the graph representing a part of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. The information in this graph is proprietary.

Fig. 29 shows a graph (processed information) representing the sales quantity of each commodity (fabric) in the commercial world from a plurality of fabric commercial companies, the graph representing a portion of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. The information in this graph is not proprietary and is open or accessible to all participants of the UVAS 100.

By comparing the graphs in Figs. 28 and 29, the business firm dealing in fabric Y can compare the sales quantity of its own fabric Y (X to Z) with the similar fabric Y* (X* to Z*) in the business world. On the basis of the comparison between the graphs in Figs. 28 and 29, a sales manager of the fabric firm/company, if he (or she) judges that the sales of the clothing/fabric Z of his (or her) are not better than that of the similar apparel/fabric Z* in the present business world, devise a new plan for improving the sales of apparel/fabric Z long before the gross sales of apparel/fabric Z may have declined considerably.

Fig. 30 is a graph illustrating changes in the sales quantity of the clothing 1* in Fig. 26 in the clothing store world, the graph representing a portion of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. This graph is presented in a service offered to a specific cloth store company about future goods selling and provides proprietary information.

Fig. 31 is a graph illustrating changes in the sales quantity of the apparel 2* in Fig. 26 in the clothing store world, the graph representing a part of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. This graph is delivered to a service offered to the specific cloth store company about poor-selling goods other than fashion apparels. The information in this graph is proprietary information.

Fig. 32 is a graph showing changes in the sales quantity of the clothing 3* in Fig. 26 in the clothing business world, the graph representing a part of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. This graph is applied to a service offered to a specific cloth business company. Service of goods that are selling well and whose sales volumes are tending to decrease. The information in this graphic is proprietary information.

Fig. 33 is a graph illustrating changes in the sales quantities of the apparels 4* and 5* in Fig. 26 in the clothing business world, the graph representing a part of an information service that can be offered by the delivery service management system of the present invention. This graph is provided to a service offered to a specific business firm about apparels that fall in the range between good and bad goods and future bad goods whose sales quantity tends to decrease. The information in this graph is proprietary information.

Incidentally, if private information items for specific participants of the UVAS 100, as shown by Figs. 30 to 33, are changed to non-private information items with respect to the entire business world, these non-private information items will be opened or made accessible to the participants of the UVAS 100 without protection.

According to the delivery service management system of the present invention, desired delivery service data can be returned to each system-related party from a group of pieces of information associated with the delivery services of various kinds of goods in bulk between various system parties. In addition, information (two-dimensional bar code information) representing sources and contents down to individual components of the goods subjected to the delivery services can be sent together with the delivered goods. The data exchange can be carried out by the UVAS in real time. received. Consequently, information (e.g., for a thread manufacturer, information representing the use of his own thread for a specific garment) that cannot conventionally be known to every single business colleague can be accessed in a timely manner.

Claims (15)

1. A multi-level delivery service management system for managing the delivery or distribution of various goods, the delivery service management system comprising: for each of a plurality of goods to be delivered, a corresponding information holding medium (10 in Fig. 2; or 10d or 10g in Fig. 4) which is attached to a corresponding one of the plurality of goods (e.g. fabric) before the corresponding one of the plurality of goods is delivered from a corresponding predetermined location (400) to a corresponding predetermined next location (600), wherein each information holding medium (10d) has key information indicating a source (400) of the corresponding one of the plurality of goods, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of information holding media has composition information describing a composition of the corresponding one of the plurality of goods; and characterized by an information management device (1001, 1002, 20 to 50 in Fig. 4) for collecting (ST10 to ST17 in Fig. 5) the information held by each one of the plurality of information holding media each time a corresponding one of the plurality of goods is delivered from its corresponding predetermined location (400) to its corresponding predetermined next location (600), for obtaining (ST18) specific information relating to a specific one of the plurality of goods from the collected composition information, and for allowing the obtained specific information to be transferred to the source (400) of the specific one of the plurality of goods on based on key information (ST20). 2. The system of claim 1, characterized in that each (10) of the plurality of information holding media comprises: means (104) for holding the key information and the composition information; and a device (105; ST202 to ST204 in Fig. 16) for protecting any information held by the holding device (104) from being accessed by unauthorized persons. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of goods comprises a thing (e.g. fabric) and a product (e.g. clothing) made from the thing, characterized in that it comprises: a first information holding medium (e.g. 10d in Fig. 4) attached to the thing before the thing is delivered from a first location (400) to a second location (600), the first information holding medium (10d) having first key information indicating a first source (400) of the thing; and a second information holding medium (e.g. 10g in Fig. 4) attached to the product of the thing before the product is delivered from the second location (600) to a third location (700), the second information holding medium (10g) having second key information indicating a second source (600) of the product, wherein the first information holding medium (10d) comprises first composition information describing a composition of the thing, and/or the second information information holding medium (10g) has second composition information describing a composition of the product. 4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the second information holding medium (10g) comprises: means (104) for holding the second key information and the second composition information; and means (105) for protecting specific information held by the holding means (104) from being accessed by unauthorized persons. 5. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the information management device (1001, 1002, 20 to 50) comprises: means (e.g. 20g, 30g) for reading the key information and optionally the composition information of the thing from the first information holding medium (10d); and means (20g, 30g) for writing at least the key information of the thing as well as the second key information and optionally the second composition information of the product into the second information holding medium (10g) when the product is delivered from the second location to the third location, so that information of the thing and the product comprising key and composition information is accumulated in the second information holding medium (10g). 6. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the information management device (1001, 1002, 20 to 50) comprises: a first collecting device (e.g. 20g, 30g, 40, 1001) for collecting the key information and the composition information of the thing from the information holding medium (10d) attached to the thing when the thing is delivered from the first location (400) to the second location (600); a second collecting device (e.g. 20j, 30j, 40, 1001) for collecting the key information and the composition information of the product from the second information holding medium (10g) attached to the product when the product is delivered from the second location (600) to the third location (700); means (1002) for arranging the composition information collected by the first and second collecting means (1001) based on a predetermined specification point to provide divided pieces of information related to each other; and means (1002, 40) for returning the divided pieces of information provided by the arranging means (1002) to a part (400) of the delivery service management system that is authorized to access the divided pieces of information. 7. The system of claim 1, characterized in that each (10) of the plurality of information holding media is formed from a two-dimensional bar code comprising: an area (101) for holding a unit code specific to the delivery service management system; and a user area (104) for holding the key information and optionally the composition information of each of the plurality of goods to be delivered. 8. A method of managing a multi-stage delivery service, wherein for each of a plurality of goods to be delivered, a corresponding information holding medium (10; 10d; 10g) is attached to a corresponding one (e.g. fabric) of the plurality of goods before the corresponding one of the plurality of goods is delivered from a corresponding predetermined location (400) to a corresponding predetermined next location (600), and wherein each one of the plurality of information holding media has key information indicating a source (400) of the corresponding one of the plurality of goods, characterized in that each one of the plurality of information holding media also has composition information describing a composition of the corresponding one of the plurality of goods; the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: collecting the key information and the composition information of each one of the plurality of goods from the corresponding one of the plurality of information holding media each time a corresponding one of the plurality of goods is delivered from its corresponding predetermined location (400) to its corresponding predetermined next location (600), Obtaining specific information relating to a specific one of the plurality of goods from the collected composition information; and Returning the acquired specific information to the source (400) of the specific one of the plurality of goods based on the key information. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of goods comprises a thing (e.g. fabric) and a product (e.g. clothing) made from the thing, and wherein a first information holding medium (e.g. 10d) is attached to the thing before the thing is delivered from a first location (400) to a second location (600), and has key information indicating a first source (400) of the thing, as well as composition information describing a composition of the thing; and a second information holding medium (e.g. 10g) is attached to the product of the thing delivered from the second location (600) to a third location (700) and has key information indicating a second source (600) of the product as well as composition information describing a composition of the product, the method being characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: collecting the key information and the composition information of the thing from the first information holding medium (10d) when the thing is delivered from the first location (400) to the second location (600); Collecting the key information and composition information of the product from the second information information holding medium (10g) when the product is delivered from the second location (600) to the third location (700); arranging the collected composition information based on a predetermined specification point to provide divided pieces of information that are related to each other; and Returning the shared information pieces to a part (400) authorized to access the shared information pieces. 10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the information management device (1001, 1002, 20 to 50) comprises: means (1001, 20 to 40) for collecting the information held by each one (10; 10d; 10g) of the plurality of information holding media attached to each one of the plurality of goods each time a corresponding one of the plurality of goods is delivered from its corresponding predetermined location (400) to its corresponding predetermined next location (600); means (1002) for obtaining specific information relating to a specific one of the plurality of goods from the composition information collected by the collecting means (1001); and means (1002, 40) for returning the specific information acquired by the acquisition means (1002) to the source (400) of the specific one of the plurality of goods related to the specific information. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of goods comprises a thing (e.g. fabric) and a product (e.g. clothing) made from the thing, characterized in that it comprises: a first information holding medium (10d) attached to the thing before the thing is delivered from a first location (400) to a second location (600), the first information holding medium (10d) having first key information indicating a first source (400) of the thing; and a second information holding medium (10g) attached to the product of the thing before the product is delivered from the second location (600) to a third location (700), the second information holding medium (10g) having second key information indicating a second source (600) of the product, wherein the first information holding medium (10d) has first composition information describing a composition of the thing and/or the second information holding medium (10g) has second composition information describing a composition of the product; characterized in that it further comprises: a device (200 to 400) acting as the source (400) and located at the first location (400) for delivering the thing, a device (500 to 600) acting as the second source (600) and located at the second location (600) for processing the thing supplied by the delivery device (200 to 400) to produce the product from the thing; wherein the collecting device (1001, 20 to 40) has: a first collecting device (20g, 30g, 40, 1001) for collecting the first information of the thing from the first information holding medium (10d) attached to the thing when the thing is delivered from the first location (400) to the second location (600); and a second collecting device (20j, 30j, 40, 1001) for collecting the second information of the product from the second information holding medium (10g) attached to the product when the product is delivered from the second location (600) to the third location (700). 12. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises: a first writing device (30d) for writing, at the delivery device (200 to 400), the key information and optionally the composition information of the thing into the information holding medium (bd) to be attached to the thing; and a second writing device (30g) for writing, at the processing device (500 to 600), the key information and optionally the composition information of the thing as well as the key information and optionally the composition information of the product into the information holding medium (10g) to be attached to the product, so that the information of the thing and the product including the key and composition information is accumulated in the information holding medium (10g) to be attached to the product. 13. The system of claim 10, characterized in that each (10) of the plurality of information holding media has a two-dimensional bar code. 14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that the two-dimensional bar code comprises: a user area (104) for storing the key information and the composition information; and a protection area (105) for protecting the specific information stored in the user area (104) from being accessed by unauthorized persons. 15. The system of claim 1, characterized in that each (10) of the plurality of information holding media has a two-dimensional bar code.